Reclaiming Lives


References

Three Feet by Six
(For the Names Project)

With scraps of muslin and faded corduroy
they asked me to capture
the warp and woof of his beating heart
the bite and whistle of his kiss
the falling arches of his voice

When the Quilt people called,
they read me the dimensions
three feet by six, use any material you want
but be sure we can fold it up when the exhibit moves on

Needle and thread are not enough.
My voice is not enough.
If a tree cries out in the forest,
does anyone hear it?
We are dying in the silence.

Sew a single drop of blood
pricked witch-like from your thumb
be careful not to burst the bubble
adhere it securely to the cotton
bite the thread away gently
be delicate, be bold
out of despair's yawning reach
the truth does not change

See the names stretched out
mile upon cotton mile
littered on the battlefield
this war fought in hospital rooms
demonstrations and free clinics
commemorated by stitch upon
endless stitch
we are armed with nothing but
our wish to be, and keep being.

Thimble my hands.
I will sew until I do not need armour.

Tanis MacDonald
Toronto, Ontario

Reprinted from WEdf, Winter 1993/94, Volume 10, Numbers 3,4.

Burstow, B. "Problematizing Adult Education: A Feminist Perspective." The Canadian journal for the Study of Adult Education 8.1 (1994).

Collins, M. Adult Education as Vocation: A Critical Role for the Adult Education. London: Routledge, 1991.

Hart, M., and D. Holton. "Beyond God the Father and Mother: Adult Education and Spirituality." Adult Education and Theological Interpretations. Eds. P. Jarvis and N. Walter. Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing, 1993.

Lewis, M. G. Without a Word: Teaching Beyond Women's Silence. New York: Routledge, 1993.

Narayan, U. "Working Together Across Difference: Some Considerations on Emotions and Political Practice." Hypatia 3.2 (1988).

Payeur, G., M. Taylor, and C. Warren. "Feminisms in Adult Education: Fostering Visibility and Change for Women." The Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education 8.1 (1994).

Shore, S., and E. Butler. "Acts of Course." Australian Journal of Adult and Community Education 34.1 (1994).

Willis, P. "Using Quality Circles in University Education for Adult Educators." The Canmore Proceedings (International Conference on Educating the Adult Educator: Role of the University). Ed. M. Collins. Saskatoon: College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, 1995.


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